Hybrid or Ecoboost for my use case?

[Traegorn]

I apologize in advance if this has been covered before. I have seen a couple posts on the subject, but most seem to have a lot of conflicting information. Now that the Mav has been out for a few years, I am hoping I can get a more definitive answer for my specific use case from those who live in similar climates.

Originally I thought I should wait for the 2025 model as I need AWD and wanted the hybrid. But I have never owned a hybrid before. After doing some research, I am wondering if it is worth the increased cost and extra wait time to get it due to my circumstances.

I will do most of my driving, probably 90-95% on rural highways with mostly 55 mph speed limits though I usually do about 58-62 in good weather. The highway does drop to 45 mph a couple times, but not for a significant portion of my commute. Maybe 15%. I see the highway mpg quoted is less than city, and is factored for freeway speeds of 65 mph. I also live in a very cold climate area. This last winter was the warmest we have had in 120 years, so it is not a great benchmark. But it is not abnormal to get over 200 inches of snow in the winter, with multiple sub-zero days. Both of these things will eat into a hybrids efficiency even more so than the Ecoboost engine I have read. Eventually, this will end up being my winter only vehicle (maybe 2 years from now), with some sporadic use in warmer months for weekend project stuff like getting plywood or whatever.

I do almost no driving at 25 mph. My house is about a mile off the highway, and most places I go to are right on the highway. So maybe 10-20 miles a week city driving at the absolute max. Given this use case, is it worth it for me to get the hybrid? Or should I save some cash and just get the Ecoboost version?

So I do a lot of driving in rural Northern Wisconsin (so similar roads and weather to what you're talking about) with my front wheel drive Hybrid Maverick, and it works great. At 55-65 mph the gas mileage is actually still really solid -- in warm weather you'll still get well over 40 mpg at those speeds. AWD would be nice in the winter, and I can see why you'd want it (though good tires will get you 90% of the way there -- I've always found STOPPING in snow to be way harder than getting the vehicle moving ).

You get a lot of "experts" on this forum shitting on Hybrids, but I've loved mine. The 2022s and some 2023s had issues, but mine's been great. The only real adjustment you need to make is getting used to the changes in braking (and that to coast in normal drive mode you need to lightly put pressure on the accelerator to reduce regen), but after a day or two it becomes second nature.

Personally, I think its worth it.

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[Derwood]

I apologize in advance if this has been covered before. I have seen a couple posts on the subject, but most seem to have a lot of conflicting information. Now that the Mav has been out for a few years, I am hoping I can get a more definitive answer for my specific use case from those who live in similar climates.

Originally I thought I should wait for the 2025 model as I need AWD and wanted the hybrid. But I have never owned a hybrid before. After doing some research, I am wondering if it is worth the increased cost and extra wait time to get it due to my circumstances.

I will do most of my driving, probably 90-95% on rural highways with mostly 55 mph speed limits though I usually do about 58-62 in good weather. The highway does drop to 45 mph a couple times, but not for a significant portion of my commute. Maybe 15%. I see the highway mpg quoted is less than city, and is factored for freeway speeds of 65 mph. I also live in a very cold climate area. This last winter was the warmest we have had in 120 years, so it is not a great benchmark. But it is not abnormal to get over 200 inches of snow in the winter, with multiple sub-zero days. Both of these things will eat into a hybrids efficiency even more so than the Ecoboost engine I have read. Eventually, this will end up being my winter only vehicle (maybe 2 years from now), with some sporadic use in warmer months for weekend project stuff like getting plywood or whatever.

I do almost no driving at 25 mph. My house is about a mile off the highway, and most places I go to are right on the highway. So maybe 10-20 miles a week city driving at the absolute max. Given this use case, is it worth it for me to get the hybrid? Or should I save some cash and just get the Ecoboost version?

If you drive a lot of miles the AWD hybrid will pay off in the long run either way. No worrying about the turbo crapping out either as a replacement hybrid battery costs less and has a greater lifespan than a turbocharger. Remote start for those cold days or even hot days is a must have. I put Perimeter Plus on mine along with the remote start and if there's a difference in warmup/cool down cab times it shouldn't be much

 

[MetalsGeek]

I never buy the first production year of anything, and the new AWD hybrid falls into that bucket.

 

[Oscarcat]

I apologize in advance if this has been covered before. I have seen a couple posts on the subject, but most seem to have a lot of conflicting information. Now that the Mav has been out for a few years, I am hoping I can get a more definitive answer for my specific use case from those who live in similar climates.

Originally I thought I should wait for the 2025 model as I need AWD and wanted the hybrid. But I have never owned a hybrid before. After doing some research, I am wondering if it is worth the increased cost and extra wait time to get it due to my circumstances.

I will do most of my driving, probably 90-95% on rural highways with mostly 55 mph speed limits though I usually do about 58-62 in good weather. The highway does drop to 45 mph a couple times, but not for a significant portion of my commute. Maybe 15%. I see the highway mpg quoted is less than city, and is factored for freeway speeds of 65 mph. I also live in a very cold climate area. This last winter was the warmest we have had in 120 years, so it is not a great benchmark. But it is not abnormal to get over 200 inches of snow in the winter, with multiple sub-zero days. Both of these things will eat into a hybrids efficiency even more so than the Ecoboost engine I have read. Eventually, this will end up being my winter only vehicle (maybe 2 years from now), with some sporadic use in warmer months for weekend project stuff like getting plywood or whatever.

I do almost no driving at 25 mph. My house is about a mile off the highway, and most places I go to are right on the highway. So maybe 10-20 miles a week city driving at the absolute max. Given this use case, is it worth it for me to get the hybrid? Or should I save some cash and just get the Ecoboost version?

I read your post, pondered about what you wrote and think you would be better served by an EB AWD with lux pkg that includes heated seats and steering wheel. I would never pass up the hitch for a messily $100.

Me: I ordered a hybrid in 2022, realized the wait, then purchased a 2022 Lariat EB FWD off the lot when I sold my GMC Canyon V6 at high pandemic prices.

Even being a Lariat, in 2022 it did not have the lux package standard so no heated pleather seats nor steering wheel.

Eighteen months later my hybrid arrived as a 2024 Lariat FWD but lux pkg was now standard.

I was able to get 30-32 mpg in my FWD EB Lariat. AWD will get a bit less but I still think you will be better off with the EB than with an newly minted hybrid AWD. And you will be happy with heated seats and steering wheel.

Sadly, Ford deleted the heated windshielf wipers in mid 2022 I think. An insult to people in snowy climates.

Just a guess but you probably live a long distance from a dealer so getting service is a PITA?

For me in SoCal, the hybrid is perfect. But my mpg goes down in the coldest winter months here along the coast. I can't imagine you will see an overall benefit where you have 4-5 months of winter.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I apologize in advance if this has been covered before. I have seen a couple posts on the subject, but most seem to have a lot of conflicting information. Now that the Mav has been out for a few years, I am hoping I can get a more definitive answer for my specific use case from those who live in similar climates.

Originally I thought I should wait for the 2025 model as I need AWD and wanted the hybrid. But I have never owned a hybrid before. After doing some research, I am wondering if it is worth the increased cost and extra wait time to get it due to my circumstances.

I will do most of my driving, probably 90-95% on rural highways with mostly 55 mph speed limits though I usually do about 58-62 in good weather. The highway does drop to 45 mph a couple times, but not for a significant portion of my commute. Maybe 15%. I see the highway mpg quoted is less than city, and is factored for freeway speeds of 65 mph. I also live in a very cold climate area. This last winter was the warmest we have had in 120 years, so it is not a great benchmark. But it is not abnormal to get over 200 inches of snow in the winter, with multiple sub-zero days. Both of these things will eat into a hybrids efficiency even more so than the Ecoboost engine I have read. Eventually, this will end up being my winter only vehicle (maybe 2 years from now), with some sporadic use in warmer months for weekend project stuff like getting plywood or whatever.

I do almost no driving at 25 mph. My house is about a mile off the highway, and most places I go to are right on the highway. So maybe 10-20 miles a week city driving at the absolute max. Given this use case, is it worth it for me to get the hybrid? Or should I save some cash and just get the Ecoboost version?

Less than 60 mph is in town driving particularly if there are a few changes in elevations or turns which results in changes of speed of even a few mph. Driving not in cruise at 40-45 mph or faster will reduce mpg more than not in cruise as you can let off gas just before crest of upslope, etc....

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I apologize in advance if this has been covered before. I have seen a couple posts on the subject, but most seem to have a lot of conflicting information. Now that the Mav has been out for a few years, I am hoping I can get a more definitive answer for my specific use case from those who live in similar climates.

Originally I thought I should wait for the 2025 model as I need AWD and wanted the hybrid. But I have never owned a hybrid before. After doing some research, I am wondering if it is worth the increased cost and extra wait time to get it due to my circumstances.

I will do most of my driving, probably 90-95% on rural highways with mostly 55 mph speed limits though I usually do about 58-62 in good weather. The highway does drop to 45 mph a couple times, but not for a significant portion of my commute. Maybe 15%. I see the highway mpg quoted is less than city, and is factored for freeway speeds of 65 mph. I also live in a very cold climate area. This last winter was the warmest we have had in 120 years, so it is not a great benchmark. But it is not abnormal to get over 200 inches of snow in the winter, with multiple sub-zero days. Both of these things will eat into a hybrids efficiency even more so than the Ecoboost engine I have read. Eventually, this will end up being my winter only vehicle (maybe 2 years from now), with some sporadic use in warmer months for weekend project stuff like getting plywood or whatever.

I do almost no driving at 25 mph. My house is about a mile off the highway, and most places I go to are right on the highway. So maybe 10-20 miles a week city driving at the absolute max. Given this use case, is it worth it for me to get the hybrid? Or should I save some cash and just get the Ecoboost version?

What model are you leaning towards??

 

[Jebusfreek666]

No you can purchase perimeter plus alarm and install it afterward.

Is there an option to just add the remote start without the alarm? I absolutely hate car alarms. Especially in the area where I live where most people don't even lock their doors.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

My '24 XLT with lux package has remote start on the keyfob.
This is a tough call cause your driving demands are kinda in the middle. Either would serve your needs well.
How many miles per year do you rack up? That might be the determining factor.
I didn't have a choice as I bought one in dealer inventory but the Ecoboost never feels down on power, like a torquey v6 in a small chassis.
If buying used I'd focus more on trim level & available packages.

If snow is frequent, AWD is your friend.

It is tough to say how many miles I will drive a year as my youngest kid just moved into the dorms so my driving habits will probably change. More than likely it will be somewhere between 9-12k miles a year I think.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

200 inches snow, are you in the UP? May want to ask the local dealer service department how many hybrids they work on. You don’t want a vehicle where they service very few. Especially with the warranty and recall issues.

Yeah, life time yooper here lol. That is a good point on asking about how many hybrids they work on. Given the fact that they have 0 on their lot currently and no one I know of around here has a hybrid, I am going to guess they don't work on them much. That might be a big determining factor...

 

[Pete Roberts]

EcoBoost all the way

 

[Jebusfreek666]

Since I've joined this great forum and read countless threads on hybrid issues I say EB for sure. I haven't had 1 issue so far on my 2022 1st Edition Lariat EB AWD. I bought used this past Feb with a little over 20k miles and the gentleman that owned this previously had all his maintenance work done at a Ford Dealership which reports to carfax. If I can also suggest....Definitely get the tow package. For the small cost vs. what you get and also for resale value....It's a no brainer

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for yours? I am seeing all these crazy prices for a vehicle that is 3 years old with similar miles. Add to that the price increase by Ford and dealer markups on new ones and people are charging over what they paid for it 3 years ago. Honestly, at this point I am wondering if the "value" purchase that was there when these were new and 20-26k has completely disappeared? I was fine with the cheap interior and plastic everywhere for that price. But for 30-36k, I don't know that these trucks are worth that..... I can get a fairly loaded Ridgeline for around 36k now since they want to move the 24's to make room for the 25's. And in just about every way except size, acceleration, and fuel efficiency, the ridgeline is the better vehicle. But those are some pretty big categories to be lacking in... Tough decisions.

 

[Hunters Edge]

Is there an option to just add the remote start without the alarm? I absolutely hate car alarms. Especially in the area where I live where most people don't even lock their doors.

On the XLT 2024 model I believe it was included with the luxury group. It also may include the perimeter plus alarm. I don't think you would have to worry about it if it's that rural who is going to set it off for 1. 2 even if they did who would hear it? How bad do you want a remote start on you FOB?

 

[Jebusfreek666]

So I do a lot of driving in rural Northern Wisconsin (so similar roads and weather to what you're talking about) with my front wheel drive Hybrid Maverick, and it works great. At 55-65 mph the gas mileage is actually still really solid -- in warm weather you'll still get well over 40 mpg at those speeds. AWD would be nice in the winter, and I can see why you'd want it (though good tires will get you 90% of the way there -- I've always found STOPPING in snow to be way harder than getting the vehicle moving ).

You get a lot of "experts" on this forum shitting on Hybrids, but I've loved mine. The 2022s and some 2023s had issues, but mine's been great. The only real adjustment you need to make is getting used to the changes in braking (and that to coast in normal drive mode you need to lightly put pressure on the accelerator to reduce regen), but after a day or two it becomes second nature.

Personally, I think its worth it.

I figured there would be a lot of hybrid haters in a tuck forum. Yeah, Northern WI is fairly similar to my area. Do you have any idea what kind of milage you get in January/February? 40 mpg sounds awesome, but I have to imagine in the winter I would see closer to 25-30 with the cold temps and the slippage. I had also considered going with the FWD since this truck isn't true 4WD, and all the FWD cars I have had have been fine. I have just been used to driving 4WD for the past few years so AWD seemed like the logical choice even though I know it is not as good as 4WD in the snow. I have heard from several ppl that AWD is largely a gimmick when compared to FWD it is only like 5% better. Especially given that it is not permanent AWD, but the computer decides when to do it.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

I never buy the first production year of anything, and the new AWD hybrid falls into that bucket.

I am almost always the exact same way. I usually let early adopters spend the cash testing new products for companies to work out the bugs. Unfortunately, my current vehicles are telling me it is time to get something else. So I would either need to get a beater for a bit while I wait, or make the move on something now.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

I read your post, pondered about what you wrote and think you would be better served by an EB AWD with lux pkg that includes heated seats and steering wheel. I would never pass up the hitch for a messily $100.

Me: I ordered a hybrid in 2022, realized the wait, then purchased a 2022 Lariat EB FWD off the lot when I sold my GMC Canyon V6 at high pandemic prices.

Even being a Lariat, in 2022 it did not have the lux package standard so no heated pleather seats nor steering wheel.

Eighteen months later my hybrid arrived as a 2024 Lariat FWD but lux pkg was now standard.

I was able to get 30-32 mpg in my FWD EB Lariat. AWD will get a bit less but I still think you will be better off with the EB than with an newly minted hybrid AWD. And you will be happy with heated seats and steering wheel.

Sadly, Ford deleted the heated windshielf wipers in mid 2022 I think. An insult to people in snowy climates.

Just a guess but you probably live a long distance from a dealer so getting service is a PITA?

For me in SoCal, the hybrid is perfect. But my mpg goes down in the coldest winter months here along the coast. I can't imagine you will see an overall benefit where you have 4-5 months of winter.

I agree with just about everything you said. From what I read though, the EB loses some fuel efficiency in winter also, just not as much as a hybrid will. Judging by the numbers I am seeing, it looks like the hybrid may give me like 5-7 more mpgs in the winter. But at the end of the day, I don't know that it would be worth the extra cost. It seems like my best bet may be to see if I can get a good deal on a 22-24 AWD EB when people decide they want to sell them to get the new 25 AWD hybrids. The lack of wiper heaters is kind of annoying, though I have never had a car with it before.

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